Origin
Jamestown, TN
Evening in Jamestown on Sunday
Local time
6:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jamestown, TN to Johnson City, TN
Drive Time
5h 6m
Distance
277.5 mi
447 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 53m
★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 16m
12 PM
5h 13m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 32m
8 PM
4h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jamestown, TN
Kelly
Johnson City, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Jamestown to Johnson City is a straightforward 277.5-mile journey across Tennessee. You can expect to spend about 5 hours and 6 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $42, it is an affordable way to traverse the state from the Cumberland Plateau toward the mountains. Because the route is almost entirely highway-focused, you will stay on major interstates for the duration of the drive. This trip is ideal for those who prioritize efficiency over backroad exploration, as it keeps you moving steadily toward your destination in the Southeast.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
138.8 miles from Jamestown, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a high-speed, highway-focused drive where 99% of your time is spent on major transit corridors. You will rely heavily on I-40 and I-81, with a connection via the Tennessee National Guard Parkway to bridge the gap. Prepare for a significant interstate stretch, as your longest uninterrupted segment covers 185.8 miles. While the route is highly efficient, expect a consistent pace throughout the journey. It is a functional, streamlined drive that trades local scenery for the predictability of multi-lane highways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 185.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 277.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
19.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
6
169.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
205.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
|
I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
262.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, As...
Towns Along This Route
Between Jamestown, TN and Johnson City, TN, road signs point toward Lebanon and Asheville.
Lebanon
19.3 mi in
|
~21m
Asheville
262.5 mi in
|
~4h 47m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 185.8 mi | 3h 23m |
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 18.3 mi | 19m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 14 mi | 16m |
| Leanna Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Market Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Sulphur Springs Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Buffalo Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 185.8 mi, about 3h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jamestown, TN and Johnson City, TN.
1
Start on Leanna Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Leanna Road
2
Turn right onto Sulphur Springs Road
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Sulphur Springs Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville
4
Merge onto I 840
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 40
149 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
10
Merge onto I 26; US 23
14 mi
·
16 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 23
Toward TN 91
12
Turn right onto SR 91
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Market Street
13
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Buffalo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn right
433 ft
·
31 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 5-hour drive is well-suited for a single day, aim for an early morning departure to avoid peak traffic congestion near major metropolitan hubs along I-40. With only one recommended stop, it is best to plan your break strategically to coincide with refueling, keeping your $42 budget in mind. Keep a close watch on your speedometer, as interstate speeds can fluctuate significantly across these stretches. Given the high highway percentage, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained high-speed travel before you leave Jamestown. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to easily adjust your pace based on real-time traffic conditions.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 138.8 miles from Jamestown, TN, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.8 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnson City, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jamestown, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jamestown, TN
This is one driving day of about 277.5 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jamestown, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 185.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138.8 mi from Jamestown, TN · 2h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 138.8 miles from Jamestown, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 185.8 miles.
Arriving in Johnson City, TN
The final approach into Johnson City, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Johnson City, TN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.15 one way
$84.30 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $46.46 | $92.93 |
| premium | $4.80 | $52.39 | $104.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.65 | $123.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.3 | 1 | $29.14 | $13.32 |
| Efficient EV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.28 | $11.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111 | 1 | $38.85 | $17.76 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Johnson City, TN
Evening in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
139 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 6m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Jamestown, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 277.5 miles and takes about 5h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 81, Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.8 miles from Jamestown, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.15 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 277.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Jamestown, TN and Johnson City, TN, road signs point toward Lebanon and Asheville.
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